Can I ask a question without fear of ridicule?

Now there's a challenge, but here goes.
My daily driver is a Citroen C4 Cactus, and I like to frequent a forum dedicated to this car. There is a thread going at the moment concerning the need to depress the clutch when starting the engine. Some people seem to think it's a design fault of the car that you don't have to do this. I'm sure I have read somewhere on the Latebay forum that you shouldn't do this, unless it is actually a feature, like my daughters car that starts on a button rather than the key. I'd be interested in opinions, or explanations on whether you should or shouldn't.

 

some modern cars need to have the clutch depressed to start the engine, its a function that's been introduced for Americans who don't understand its not automatic and can be started in gear, there is no need to press the clutch on any vehicle without the function, but some people say it reduces stress on the starter motor as it disengages the gearbox from the engine and thus reduces the number of parts being rotated

 

Im afraid that's a sensible answer!

 

I always do it as I can never tell if I'm in gear

 

typed out a massive reply for you and davidoft beat me to it lol! Anyway, what he says

 

tbh I do too. Force of habit. I was taught to do that when I learned to drive! In my life my vehicles have always been driven by other people. Also, being a northern hill dweller you leave your car in gear with the front wheels facing the curb so it don't roll off. At work our visitors car park is on a slight angle and at least once a week someones car rolls off into someone elses.

 

Yeah what Davidoft said. As an HGV driver you do it second nature, with 18 gears to choose from it's better to be safe, especially on modern remote boxes.

 

And me

 

What does that mean?

 

That was my minds initial reaction to the question. Its tumbleweed...indicating nothings going on, no reaction etc. I thought it would go well with the cactus! Incidentally. I haven't been up close. What are those things on the side made from?

 

joking aside this is true, really you should also wear a straw hat put 2 pencils up your nose and sing God save the queen in c major while depressing the clutch, works every time for me

 

e-minor mate. get your facts right

 

They're called Airbumps. Made of a sort of rubbery plastic.

 

I need a full covering of those on my motor tbh! im sick to death of it getting bumped!

 

I've still got a little dink on the back door from Lidl car park

 

If your battery is a bit dodgy it might make the difference between starting and not as the drain will be that little bit less if you do it.

 

Same here.

 

I have a 3 series BMW and you have to put the clutch down in order to start it . If I don't a image comes in the dashboard indicating put the clutch down. It's not a automatic car .It is a diesel car
it won't start without the clutch down